Street art in Madison, Wisconsin. Image from USB / Twitter / Creative Commons.
AUSTIN — In 1915, when Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) organizer Joe Hill was awaiting execution before a Utah firing squad, he wrote the following to his fellow Wobbly, Bill Haywood: “Don’t waste any time mourning — organize!”
“Don’t mourn, organize,” became a rallying cry whenever a leader died or the movement suffered a major defeat. Perhaps better advice today would be, “Mourn, then organize.”
We are experiencing a time of resistance and increased mobilization in Austin, and we need to organize networks of solidarity. With the tagline on The Rag Blog, “Notes from the Resistance,” we hope to accommodate brief dispatches on events, links to community calendars, and announcements of upcoming actions.
On Friday, January 20, Inauguration Day, join Austin’s One Resistance march, beginning at 5 p.m. at Auditorium Shores.
On Saturday, January 21, there will be a companion rally to the Women’s March on Washington from noon to 3 p.m. at the State Capitol. See the Women’s March on Austin for details.
This progressive calendar posts upcoming events:
Progressive multi-issue groups:
Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)
Organizing in Austin for Black Lives Matter:
Organizing in Austin for immigrant justice:
Organizing for $15/hour:
[Rag Blog associate editor Alice Embree is an editor of the book, Celebrating The Rag: Austin’s Iconic Underground Newspaper. Alice is a long-time Austin activist, organizer, and member of the Texas State Employees Union.]
I want to express my gratitude that i decided to read r
The sunday obit about bob breihan’s memorial service, which also mentioned the Rag Blog and you
This event broke the stupor of despair that has left me almost catatonic since election day. I wasn’t in the inner circle that included you and Dennis Paddy and Dick M______, but i was in the ranks, participating in all the rallies and some of tne behind the scenes grunt work. I was particularly active in the Methodist student center and the Y (Larry Jackson’s breakfast for children program.
Besides that i was blessed with parents who didn’t need a nanosecond to speak out or act against greed racism sexism and cruelty. I also was fortunate to be working for the TCLU in 1974 alongside Ann Richards, Molly Ivens and Sarah Weddngton. Ive been trudging along the past 3 decades out of any group efforts, other than Ann Richards runs for governor, focusing on stubbornly living my individual life “running against the wind” and haranging stupid conservatives one on one whenever necessary. Things are so unimagimably horrifying now that Ive realized I have to get back into the fight with my 60s/70s fervour and in league with like minded souls. I can no longer just rant and rage on socisl media or one on one with brainwashed blockheads. Just hearing your familiar name from my activist past and remembering the power of one of my favorite mentors, Reverend Breihan stirred at least somw sparks of hope that we can stop this current plague before eberything we worked for is totally destroyed.